Freshman Ace (5)
"Don't look at me with those eyes. Even girls used to sigh after staring at my backside a few times, you know?"
The natural, harmonious vibe between a guy and a girl was already a lost cause. Seonghwan felt the prickling stares from his group members behind him were so unfair.
It's normal to get close to the friends the seniors assign you to, right? This isn't some group blind date...
He'd been shot down, but Seonghwan wanted to claim a mental victory anyway. As he glanced around, he locked eyes with the other group leaders in the same boat.
"........"
".........."
No words were exchanged, but they shared a profound sense of camaraderie in suffering.
Phew... Huh?
While Seonghwan was letting out a quiet sigh of relief, his eyes caught the girl in the pristine white jacket who'd stood so aloof earlier.
What the...?
She'd gotten tons of guys pointing at her right from the start, yet she was still standing tall in front of her bewildered group members.
Still like that...? Did she turn down every single one?
Seonghwan could tell from the frantic looks in her group members' eyes behind her that she'd unilaterally rejected every guy who'd approached.
Pinocchio much? How sky-high is her nose for her to go lone wolf like that?
Just then, the emcee's voice boomed through the gym.
"Alright, that's one minute. Exactly one minute—group formation is wrapping up on your own. Any leftovers will be randomly assigned by the seniors there. We've got about 15 more guys than girls overall, so keep in mind groups might end up guy-heavy with fewer girls. Thanks for understanding."
The girls started getting restless. The fear of being stuck alone with awkward guys they just met seemed to spread like wildfire.
And the guys? They eyed the haughty girl standing like a crane once more, hopes rising.
These kids are young and clueless. Get stuck with a high-and-mighty girl like that, and the whole group's vibe turns toxic fast.
Seonghwan knew full well how pretty she was—his eyes worked just fine. Pairing up with a girl like that? He'd bow and grovel in a heartbeat. If only she had Yesul's personality, that is.
Receiving awkward welcomes from his group, Seonghwan returned to his spot.
"Good work, hyung."
"Sorry. I hustled, but it wasn't enough."
"Nah, it's fine. Not many groups even got a pair. Seniors are assigning anyway, so no big deal."
A guy named Min Seong-bae from his group spoke up in a subtle tone.
"But hyung, that girl over there—she's super pretty, right?"
Of course, he was pointing at the white-jacket girl.
"Duh? Yeah, she's a knockout."
"I spotted her before we even got on the bus at school. Thought she was a celeb, honestly. Man... getting her in our group would be a dream."
"Whoa, good eye. I didn't even notice a stunner like that till we got here. Guess she stands out so much you could've seen her from afar."
At Seonghwan's genuine admiration, Seong-bae gave him a weird look.
"Hyung, you seriously didn't see her?"
"Me? No clue who she is. First time seeing her."
"No way........."
".....???"
Seong-bae patted his chest in exasperation and explained.
"You saw her too, hyung. Bus 2, right?"
"Huh? You saw me? When?"
"When you lined up wrong and asked someone, then switched. That was Bus 3's line. I was on Bus 3."
"Oh... yeah, that."
Right—he'd been on a call with Lee Yeon noona right then, zoning out on the crowd as he chatted for nearly 20 minutes, thrilled she'd called to ease his first-day nerves.
"When you were in the Bus 2 line, the girl right behind you? That's her in the white jacket now."
"Ugh?!"
"Heh. You're clueless, hyung. Everyone was gawking and whispering about the girl behind you, but you had no idea."
He'd noticed the stares, sure. Just not who they were for.
I thought they were staring at doofus me on day one? Shit. I felt embarrassed for nothing.
"Hey, it happens. I was distracted."
"Sigh... Anyway, it'd be great to get close to her."
"Won't happen. Plenty of girls left, and with this crowd? Odds of her landing with us are zilch. Look—seniors are just grouping whoever's nearby. She's way over there. Don't get your hopes up. No way even by chance."
****
"Whoa... Talk about a coincidence. Haha!"
"........."
Ignoring the seniors' prodding as best she could, the girl kept backing away until she ended up lumped with Seonghwan's cornered group.
Whatever bugged her so much, she'd retreated from every attempt to pair her with guys, wordlessly stepping back until she was stuck with Seonghwan's crew as the last resort.
Her gaze at Seonghwan's existing members—plus the extra guys mixed in? Like she was staring at cockroaches.
Oblivious to her glare, Seong-bae beamed and approached her warmly.
"Hi! Min Seong-bae. Let's have fun today and tomorrow."
"....Yeah, hi."
Shyness? Annoyance? Outright rejection? Only she knew, but Seonghwan saw zero warmth in her response.
Seong-bae seemed to sense it too, awkwardly averting his eyes.
I can't just sit here. I'm the group leader. Time to show some decisiveness.
"What's your name?"
At Seonghwan's curt question, she stared straight at him.
"........."
No answer. Seonghwan raised his voice a notch.
"What's your name? Gotta tell us."
"...Min Yu-ri."
"Got it. I'm Kim Seonghwan. Third-year repeater, so two years older, but call me whatever's comfy."
"..Okay."
Seonghwan hadn't expected much. Her whole vibe screamed discomfort.
Then the emcee's voice rang out again.
"Groups formed! Here we go. Follow the seniors to change into training clothes and head to the small auditorium next door. Tons of programs lined up—get excited!"
It's just boozing and messing around, right?
Seonghwan had started light-hearted after the senior greetings and club video, but now everything felt burdensome.
That dread intensified once they changed and gathered in the auditorium.
What the hell is that?
Two-legged three? Nah, eight people—eight-legged nine? First thing laid out: ropes clearly for tying legs together and racing.
Fuck... Right after intros, tie legs and link arms?
"Group leaders, check attendance. All activities are mandatory—everyone participates under the leader's command and seniors' guidance."
Five guys, three girls. One stunner among them. The awkward eye-contact tension was familiar to Seonghwan, even without him babysitting.
"We're kicking off the Social Sciences Department's recreation and team-building games!"
Spot-on prediction. No need to listen—the setup screamed full-group participation under crowds watching.
I wanna go home...
"Hyung, our turn soon. Let's prep."
With everyone from the department gathered, emcee split teams red and blue, assigning groups randomly. Seonghwan's was red. Eighth runner.
"This is nerve-wracking. So close..."
Seonghwan glanced right at Seong-bae and the rest. Left...
"You don't need to hook your arm over my shoulder. I'll run fine on my own."
Pretty face, shitty attitude—tied right next to him.
"...Sure. Knock yourself out."
Ignoring Yu-ri's glare at his low mutter, Seonghwan stepped forward.
"Baton touch coming. Forward march."
"Yeah!"
His cue started it—group linked arms excitedly, surging ahead.
"Ugh, uwaaah!"
"Wh-whoa!"
"Eek! What the—?!"
Seonghwan scowled at still Yu-ri on his left. Everyone else moved but her, throwing off rhythm—domino fall.
"H-hyung, qu-quick, up! Next group's right behind."
Agh. Humiliated from the jump...
No need to look—crowd's snickers at their faceplant were obvious.
"O-okay... Back to start."
Dragging to line, rightmost runner baton-passed—off again.
Thud crash!
"Eeeek!"
"Aaaah!"
Ow, ankle stings. What the fuck?
Seonghwan on knees, checked sides: right side sprawled after lunging. Yu-ri? A step behind from her quick steps, face twisted in pain.
This bitch. Said you'd run fine?
Seonghwan checked right, stood quick.
"Slower, guys. Can't balance."
"Huh? O-okay... You lead, hyung."
Embarrassed enough. Better late than more falls.
"Slow... slow... Wait, you slow down too?!"
Even Yu-ri's brisk pace slowed—now syncing was chaos.
Yu-ri grimaced. "You're the one going slow."
"Y-you...? Gah."
Patience snapped. No more indulging her stubbornness. Seonghwan yanked her shoulder close.
"Wh-what?!"
"Shut it for a sec?"
Scowling, he silenced her, signaled group.
"Tied side first, slow. One! Two! One! Two! Slower. Yu-ri's new to it. I'll handle her—you focus on me. Again: one! Two!"
After mishaps, rounding turn to goal—next runner already turning.
"...Here."
"Ahaha. It's fine. Just for fun."
Ignoring the baton-receiver's chuckle, Seonghwan brushed it off.
Fucking humiliating.
Not just him.
"Ugh, so embarrassing."
"We tanked red team. Prizes per group if we win..."
"......Sorry. My bad."
Seonghwan owned it coolly, no excuses.
Until bitchy's rant.
"Why'd you go rogue mid-way? I fell too. Or agree on counts before starting."
Face flushing, Seonghwan glared.
She'd refused arm-link—he'd run awkward half-touching. She'd tripped her own feet, no complaints. Then "you" mid-game?
Crossed the line. I'm two years older?
Patience worn thin—this exceeded first-meet bounds.
His eyes sharpened. "You little shit, seriously."
"Wh-what'd you say?"
Stunned by his curse, Yu-ri gaped.
"Why so bitchy? I rub you wrong? What'd I do? Want me gone? Back to Seoul? Vanish from your sight?"
Exploding pent-up frustration in a yell, Yu-ri flushed, flustering.
"N-no... What'd I even—?"
"Don't know what you did? Record you next time?"
"........."
A groupie tugged him, glancing around. "H-hyung... Calm down. People watching..."
Snapping to, Seonghwan saw stares converging.
A senior rushed over. "What's up? Why yelling?"
"........Nothing. Sorry."
"Nothing? This is for fun—why ruin it? Answer."
Finally looking up, Seonghwan met the senior's irritated glare.
Sigh... Fucked up.
"S-sorry. Got heated from falls in last game... Yelled at group."
"That's your excuse? Fun freshman we got."
Senior's eyes narrowed more. Seong-bae jumped in.
"Senior, our leader was adjusting, but we messed up..."
Senior scowled. "Shut it. I didn't ask you."
"Guh..."
Seonghwan caught the senior glaring at Seong-bae, then glancing at Yu-ri.
Fuck... Really?
Now obvious. The standout beauty drawing all eyes. Not just freshmen guys—why escalate a quiet fix into glaring at him?
Drama? This petty?
But Seonghwan played his extra role, yielding to reality.
"Sorry. Overreacted on my peers."
Senior shrugged, satisfied, back in character.
"No repeats, got it? And..."
Turning to Yu-ri, concerned. "Shaken? Don't sweat it. Switch groups if you want—short-staffed ones need you. I can arrange."
"No, it's fine."
Yu-ri cut him off without looking.
"My fault. Don't worry, senior. We'll handle it."
Flustered by her boldness, senior smiled awkwardly, persisting.
"Alright. Good if you bond. But if not, find me—I'll fix it."
"......Okay."
Grudging reply pleased him; grinning, he left.
She'd sent him off to "sort it," but awkward chill lingered.
Agh... Marked by senior day one. Dongsaengs uncomfortable. Me too. And with the department's hottest girl? Hyenas incoming. Outsider confirmed. Shit.
Seonghwan zipped it, following seniors silently—uncomfortable stares trailed.
Third-year repeater who snapped mid-game. At the eye-catching pretty freshman.
Reality sank in.
Evening dinner chats buzzed warmly elsewhere, but not for him. At least Seong-bae stuck by, chatting.
"Hyungnim, share this. Booze needs snacks."
"Whoa... When'd I become hyungnim? Not that big an age gap."
"Haha, called close high school seniors that too."
Half-day to "hyungnim" felt good, but bad rep elsewhere stung.
Deep in drinks, buzzed, emcee took stage.
"Had enough fun? Booze's plentiful—drink up!"
Cheers from tipsy crowd; he grinned.
"The moment you've awaited... talent show time!!"
Fuuuuck!!!!
His cheer synced with Seonghwan's inner scream.
"Anyone first? No need to be shy—we're all comrades for four years. Embarrassment's pointless."
No takers.
"Oh, forgot: First-come, but no opt-outs. One per group mandatory. No volunteers? Seniors pick random. Leaders worked hard leading—fair to exempt. Prep yourselves, step up when ready."
Heavenly words to Seonghwan.
Fuck yes. Long live leader. Senior beef? Fox bitch drama? Nothing. Peanuts vs. talent show. Hell yeah.
His group blanched, eyeing each other.
"Uh... uh..."
"Whoa... screwed."
"What do I do? Can't..."
Even stone-faced Min Yu-ri's eyes darted frantically.
"H-hyung... Who for talent show?"
Seong-bae panicked; Seonghwan smiled calmly.
"Why ask me? Rock-paper-scissors it. I'll judge."
"Ah."
Some braved stages: 90% singing, 10% lame impressions/old jokes.
As turn neared, eyes reddened; bathroom escapes attempted.
"S-stomachache... BRB."
"M-me too. Too much booze..."
Seniors blocked.
"Write name/student ID to leave."
"Huh? Why?"
"Bathroom? Straight to talent show. Even if someone else goes, you encore."
"Gasp!!!"
"You sneaky shits ditching peers? Think we haven't seen your type?"
One senior's playful bark; another chuckled.
"Heh, we were you once. Get it. It'll be memories, friends gained. Stay put—we've been there."
".......Yes."
Escapes quashed.
Prior group eked out awkward dance to cheers. Then Seonghwan's—first dance, hall ignited. Their turn next; group muted, stare-down resumed.
Showtime... Heh. Senior private eyeing rookies?
No volunteers despite calls; emcee drew blade.
"Sigh... Down to this. Seniors, pick one from the group for stage. Avoid peer fights—your job. No hard feelings, others."
Group froze as seniors approached. Seonghwan grimaced seeing that guy.
Why so many? Just make 'em RPS... Like targeting someone... Huh?
Seniors whispered, grinning suspiciously. Seonghwan followed their gaze.
Huh?
Straight to stiff-faced Min Yu-ri.
No way?
The knight-in-shining-armor who'd chewed him out, sweet on her? Blind to how it crushes girls? Or amused by pretty girl panicking onstage?
Seniors closed in, chuckling softly—hit Seonghwan's ears.
What's so funny... Idiots.
Yu-ri? Petrified statue, zero twitch.
Breathing...?
Seniors before group smiled, eyes met, pointed at Yu-ri.
"This group's next talent is..."
"Me!!! I'll do it."
Seniors' eyes baffled. Group shocked. Others puzzled.
Fuck... Slipped out...
And Seonghwan wailed inside.